The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 188, 27 January 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1877.

At the next meeting of the County Council, to be bold in a few days, the appointment of County Secretary, Treasurer, and Collector—all the offices being merged in one person—will be made, and on making a wise choice depends, in a great measure, the successful working of the County Bill in tbe.se parts. Exception has been taken to the salary to be given, but so far from deeming it excessive, we maintain that it is rather insufficient than otherwise. It must be borne in mind, that, in addition to the duties of Secretary, which, in a large and rich County like Patea, must be onerous, the officer in question will have to collect rates, a duty that alone is worth all the money. To do this, be will have a length of nearly a hundred miles from the southern to the northern boundary to traverse, and have to go over a greater area, probably, than any other similar officer in New Zealand. The objections to the salary being too large, are simply ridiculous, and are made, we believe, by those fishing for popularity. Coming to the election itself, it is certain that the number and variety of the applications will be extraordinary. The advertisements inserted in papers elsewhere will bring a bushel, whilst there will be a host of local applicants whoso number will be legion. Already, from the district, wc think wo can count some, eight or ten, with very likely others that we do not know of, so the Council should have no trouble in selecting a gentleman in every way suitable for the office. Their only difficulty, wc imagine, will be to choose from so many, who are in every way adapted for the duties. It is to be hoped that no favor nor affection, nor interested motives, will sway them in their decision, and also that in no case will any member pledge himself to any particular candidate, no matter how diligently ho may be canvassed. To the County Secretary nearly the whole of the real administration of County affairs will be entrusted. On him will rest great responsibility, and whoever may fill the office, will require a clear head and administrative, as well as, in a certain degree, legislative ability in compilation of by-laws, to aid the Councillors with. They are a very raw team at present, and will require some one

who can udvbo them aright, to escape the hhmdciiug incidental to such pohf'.al experiments as this at the outset. I.i there arc nearly as many applications for the position as are anticipated, it will take a. very long time to even read them, irrespective ohm-pectin,:;' the testimonials aee.'mpanying them, wnieh duty, !iresoine as ;t may prove, is only hur to applicants. What necessity there was lor giving publicity to the appointment in so many papers we .tail to see, tor it will only •■iittill (1 isa]>|»<>ln tmtiii t on t-i nmnher of persojis, and cause extra -■xpmise in addition. Jr is probable, and is fiLting, that if a well qualilied, local man—by local man, we mean a resident within the County—oilers hirnselt that he will he elected. .Local knowledge vvill be of material service to the ollieer in question, as well as to the Council. We presume Unit the usual mode_ of election will be pursued on the coming occasion, but, as possibly some of the Councillors, who have not been accustomed to public Hie, do not quite uudetslaad it, a little explanation may not bo out of plaee. There are likely to bo at least twenty candidates, and it would be (dearly absurd to take one vote out of all (lie applications, as very probably each member might have a dillerent lancy, oi two members might decide the election. In such eases it is usual to ballot for say ten, thus reducing the number to one half. A second ballot of the same kind weald bring them to live, and a thud leave the issue between two. A final ballot is then taken between these, and, as a mutter of course, one or other is elected. 'This is the usual procedure, ami we suppose that the Council will adopt it. In conclusion, we would again specially repeat that the appointment is au all-important one, and trust, that iu exercising their judgment in selection. Councillors will be guided by no private friendships or interest, but solely by an honest desire to secure the best available public servant.